Laundry drier



(No Muriel.) 2 Sheets-Shet I.

A. V. M. SPRAG-UE. LAUNDRY BEER.

(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

A. V. M. SPRAGUE. LAUNDRY DRIER.

No. 500,625. Patented July 4, 1893.

QM N N c@ 1" V l l M kas/sw. I l @Why/wen 21.@ @(X UNrrEn STATES AUSTINV. M. SPRAGUE, OF ROCHESTER,

SPRAGUE-SCHUYLER NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEWJERSEY.

LAUNDRY DRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 500,625, dated July 4,1893. Application led June 10, 1890. Serial No,` 354,888. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUSTIN V. M. SPRAGUE, of Rochester, in the county ofMonroe and State of New York, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Laundry Driers; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, referencebeing had to the drawings accompanying this specification.

My improvement relates to laundry driers in which the frames that holdthe clothes are slid into and out of the drying closet on ways.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of partshereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings-Figure l is a front elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2is a longitudinal vertical section of the saine in line a: :c of Fig. l,one of the frames being shown drawn out from the closet and the othersin place therein. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one of the stilesor jambs of the closet, in line y y of Fig. l. Fig. 4t is a brokensection on lineas Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a cross section of one of the dryingframes. Fig. (i is a modification.

A indicates the closet in which the drying frames are inclosed, theends, back and top being made of thoroughly seasoned lumber, coveredexternally with light corrugated iron and internally with corrugated tinplates.

B B B are` the drying frames, of which any desired number may be used.These frames slide endwise into the closet, being suspended at oppositeends by grooved rollers a a that run on a track l). The track ispreferably a round rod or tube that extends longitudinally through thecloset near the top, and projects outward beyond the closet such adistance that the frame can be drawn out clear from the closet, as shownin Fig. 2. There are as many ways as there are frames, each framesliding on its own way. When fully inserted the frames do not quitefillthe closet, but leave in the rear an open spaceinwhich rests theVentilating pipe C for carrying oif moisture. The closet is heated bycoils D D of steam pipe located near the bottom, and a baffle plate, d,is used at the rear to direct the heated air upward so that it will passthrough the clothes. The closet at the sides and in front is providedwith hollow stiles or jambs ff, provided with perforations gg at thebottom, which admit external air, and similar perforations h 7L at thetop which open inward to the closet and allow such air to enter thecloset after it has become heated in passing up the hollow jamb. Theobject is to keep the outer side of the closet cool and utilize the heatabsorbed by the intlowing air to aid in drying within the closet.

Each of the drying frames B B B is provided with a hollow head Bconsisting of a fiat inner face t' which fits the front of the closet,and a raised outer piece 7n offset from the face, which forms a passagefor the air upward. The cold air enters at the bottom throughperforations Z Z and discharges inward at the top through similarperforations m m. The object is similar to that in the j ambs beforedescribed, to prevent the loss of heat by causing a current of air topass upward through the head, which current, as it becomes heated, flowsto the interior of the closet. Where two or more of the frames are usedin a single closet, as shown in the drawings, the several heads of theframes fit closely side by side when the frames are run in, and tightlyclose the whole front of the closet.

un are hollow bars, made of galvanized iron or other suitable material,extending longitudinally of the frame in two tiers on opposite sides, bywhich the clothes are suspended; and if desired hooks orotherattachments may also be used for a similar purpose.

In order to brace and sustain the frames, which are sometimes made ofconsiderable size, each of said frames is provided with diagonal bracesp p p p, made of iron rod, attached at the four corners and extending toa central knuckle r forming a coupling into which the ends are screwed.These braces lie midway of thecross section of the frame, and betweenthe clothes bars. They serve to thoroughly brace and sustain theframeand keep it in true position, so that and out without binding, andwithout leaving the outer end for the The frame is also provided s,screwed into the same cenany crack or opening at escape of heat. with afifth rod,

9 it Will slide in 5 IOO tral knuckle or coupling r, and extendingdirectly outward through the head, and provided at its outer end with ahandle s by which the frame is operated. The construction of theseframes as above described imparts great rigidity and the rodwhereby thepower is applied to move the same is centrally attached and by means ofthe radiating braces affects all parts in a practically equal man nerwhereby the warping or distorting of the frame is obviated, andl am ableto use light sheet metal without danger of the frames binding in theirways.

These closets can be made of any desired size and with any number ofsliding frames, and owing to their compact form a large quantity ofclothing can be dried at once.

By the use of the straight rod s, attached centrally, the draw is directupon the frame in opening and closing; hence it will not bind or cramp,but the motion is free, and large frames can be moved in and out in a'loaded condition without difliculty.

In some cases, and especially with heavy frames, I employ fenders orguide straps fw w (Fig. 6) consisting of thin straps of metal attachedto the edges of the door and extending cross wise of said edges, theinner sides being 'of the angular form shown. In closing the door theseinclines strike the jamb and guide the door to place. They center thedoor at all times in closing, and obviate any difficulty in shutting thedoor into place.'

I am aware that it is not new to provide double walls having a spacebetween them for various structures, and in some cases air and hotvapors have been circulated through such spaces. I am also aware that itis not broadly new to brace doors, gates, frames and the like, and myclaims to improvements in matters of this general character are limitedto the structures particularly hereinafter pointed out.

By my construction practically the whole front of t-he drier includingthe handleis kept cool and heat which would otherwise be radiatedexternally from said front is utilized within the drier. In respect tothe braces and handle it will be noted that their central connection ina plane between the two tiers of drying bars, by means of a solidcoupling adapted to receive the ends of the five parts, four of whichare attached to the frame, permits the application of power near thecenter of gravity, whereby the frame can be moved without binding orsagging and will retain its proper form at all times.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. In a laundry drier the combination with a closet of a series ofmetallic drying frames B, B, adapted to be moved into and out of saidcloset, each having a hollow head provided with perforations at its footin the outer wall and with perforations in its inner wall openingdirectly into the closet near its top and whereby air passing throughsaid heads is heated and utilized in drying and the exterior wall of theheads is kept cool to permit their being handled; substantiallyas setforth.

2. In a laundry drier, the combination with a closet, a series of dryingframes, B, B, each having a hollow head provided with perforations atits foot in the outer wall and with perforations in its inner wallopening directly into the closet near its top, and the hollow j ambssimilarly perforated, whereby air passing through the heads and jambs ofthe drier is heated and utilized in drying and the whole front is keptcool; substantially as set forth.

3. In a metallic laundry drier, the drying frames having two or moretiers of bars, the braces situated near said bars, and each attached atone of its ends to a corner of the frame and at the other to a centrallylocated coupling, a rod attached to said coupling and extending throughthe hollow head and provided with ahandle, said head having perforationsfor the circulation of air to cool the head and heat the air, allcombined substantially as set forth, whereby the frame maybe safelyhandled and without danger of distortion.

4. In a metallic laundry drier, the drying frames having two or moretiers of bars, the

braces situated near said bars, and each attached at one of its ends toa corner of the frame and at the other to a centrally located coupling,a rod attached to said coupling and extended through the hollow head andprovided with a handle, whereby the frame may be handled without dangerof distorting the same; substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my naine in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

A. V. M. SPRAGUE.

Witnesses:

H. CHAPMAN, R. F. OsGooD.

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